My First "Normal" Moment

I've been very nervous about getting back to a "normal" routine at work. I had one of those moments yesterday.

Once a month I host a meeting with the customer to review project status and iron-out the month-end billing. Also included is an all-day tour of the job. Since this includes lunch, I been nervous about eating out and being able to handle the food.

I'm very grateful to say that the lunch went well. This was my first time eating out and I ordered a soup that's allowed in my diet. Didn't overeat or get sick.

While this may seem like a small milestone, it was a big step in getting back to normal activities.

Success is made of small milestones. Congrats.

I think that's awesome! I worry about the small moments... great to see you handled it with ease!

Thanks to you and Ken for your support. I'm beginning to realize that this change in lifestyle is really manageable.

And, just for clarification, I don't think I handled this with ease. My POUCH handled this with ease. I've always been worried about those physical responses over which I may have little control.

I worry about that stuff, too.  You have lost 50 pounds within the first MONTH?  You rock!

Thanks Leza.

But, let me clarify the weight loss. I've lost 50 lbs from my all-time high weight. I lost 10 lbs before surgery and so that makes only a 40 lbs loss in the first month. But, that's still a lot.

I definately starting to see the loss slowing down and I think I'll be lucky to see 2-3 lbs per week.

That's still pretty damn good, though!  In a "normal weight loss program", you'd be lucky to see 1/2-2 pounds a week after the initial 3-7 pounds for the first week or two.  I remember that from HRM at work...another failed diet.  Keep up the good work!

Really appreciate your encouragement.

But, I think I should add a PS to this "normal" moment. Although I didn't have any problems eating out for the first time, I didn't have such good luck at a family dinner on Sunday.

With my Doctor's approval, I tried eating my first piece of beef. I took small bites, chewed it well but "Peter Pouch" was not happy.  I started in with hiccups and then found out I couldn't swallow my own saliva. It was about an hour of torture spitting up in the bathroom every 5 minutes. (Never did vomit but the juices just couldn't be swallowed.)

In talking with others I "think" the problem was that I ate too fast and the meat (although tender) was too dry and needed some kind of sauce (lubricant).

But, I now know to go very easy on the unground meats.

Hey One!

Congrats on your 1st meal out & experiencing normalcy. Beef this early does not make any RNY pouch happy. So don't worry at all. You're doing great! Take it slow. You're only a month out. Peter Pouch is still very sensitive and tender. He can't handle much for another month or two.

Congrats, I was a little nervous as well about what to order and how i was going to handle going out to eat but this gift is a great tool to start making the right choices that we would not have made before.